My son has used a pacifier since he was born - he's now almost 16 months. My husband and I are starting to talk about weaning him from it, but since he uses it during the day at his DCP's, we'd be asking her to do a lot of the work in putting up with an upset child during the day (we'd still tell her to have at it during nap time). Is that fair to our DCP? Is there any other way to do it that would have less of an impact on her?
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I am sure she has done this many times. I know we have weaned many many toddlers from soothers at our centre. It's part of the job and we do not see it as extra work. Start with during his day when there is lots to distract. We have found offering a sippy cup in substitution helps in the begining, they soon toss it aside when it slows down their play. Be consistant, that is key! If you are doing it at home, she needs to do it too. Perhaps have a chat with her to make a game plan and make sure it is a good time for her. She may need to spend extra time with him to soothe and comfort and if she is in the middle of toilet training another child etc., this may be too much all at once. A good DCP will be on board to help the parents and likely have lots of suggestions to help you succeed.
I agree with Andrea..the first few days will not be fun but redirection/distraction can be a toddler teachers best friend.
I would also keep them out of sight (I cut Kaden's before he turned a year however, I did keep them around "just in case" but wayyy out of his site)
Good luck!!
Totally fair. All kids go through it at some point, I'm sure she's dealt with it before
I second the ladies.
A lady I met told me that the way she got rid of the pacifier, is that she told her child (well all 3 off them when it was their time) that she knew of a baby that really needed pacifier and didn't have any. She had a friend that just had a baby. they went to see the baby with the pacifiers in a gift bag. the child were a bit older. but hey, this could be something to try.